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With high-stress environments becoming the norm in our busy lives, our adrenal glands are getting a hammering and as a result, they’re buckling under the pressure.

When we become stressed, our body goes into “fight or flight” mode – it’s our built-in response to danger. Our adrenal glands produce a surge of stress hormones, feeding our muscles, lungs and brain, allowing us to run, think and act quicker. A constant state of stress means that our adrenal gland is getting overworked. A short-term adrenal surge will prepare our body to cope with the “danger”, but a constant supply of the stress hormones will overwhelm our system, diminishing our ability to cope.

Depending on your environment and your genetic disposition, Adrenal Fatigue can occur gradually (as an accumulative effect) or quite quickly. It affects the whole body and in severe cases, can lead to other conditions (or make pre-existing conditions worse). These include high blood pressure, acne, stomach ulcers, asthma and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In less extreme cases, any of these symptoms (or even a range of them) can occur:

Mental:

Trouble remembering things

An inability to concentrate

A foggy brain

Racing thoughts

Emotional:

Anxiety

Irritability

Moodiness

Restlessness

Feeling impatient

Feeling depressed and generally negative about your life

Having difficulty relaxing or switching off

Feeling lonely or isolated

Feeling constantly overwhelmed

Physical Symptoms:

Headaches

Back aches

Muscle tension and stiffness

Inconsistent bowel motions, varying between diarrhea and constipation

Dizziness

Chest pain

A racing heartbeat

Weight gain or loss

Skin breakouts such as hives, eczema, psoriasis

Decreased libido

Lowered immunity

Change in appetite

Problems sleeping

A reliance on alcohol or drugs

Nervous habits such as nail biting, hair pulling or picking at skin

Teeth grinding or jaw clenching

Excessive sweating or clammy hands

What causes ongoing stress varies from person to person. Usually it is related to daily issues and a generally hectic lifestyle, but sometimes stress can be brought on by one major event such as the death of a loved one, divorce or separation, redundancy, bankruptcy or a severe injury or illness.

It is essential to reduce stress wherever you can, especially over periods of intense stress. Find what works for you, whether it is yoga, reading a book, taking a bath or going for a run, plan it and stick to it. Mindfulness is a psychological technique that has been introduced to some schools and workplaces to help people deal with complex emotions. By acknowledging and focusing on the present (rather than dwelling on the past or fretting about the future), everything feels a bit more manageable. Mindfulness has been clinically proven to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

Nutrition plays a large role in stress. Everyone’s needs and responses are different, but there are many natural herbs and minerals that have been shown to help relieve the pressure. Here are our top 8 picks for stress-busting nutrients that could make a world of difference:

Siberian & Ashwagandha Ginseng: Both help to regenerate the adrenal and nervous systems, improving your ability to cope with stressful situations. Siberian ginseng has been used for centuries as a tonic in times of stress, also supporting the immune system, which is often compromised during stressful times. Ashwagandha has an anti-anxiety effect for those suffering with more emotional symptoms.

Rhodiola: This was used by the Vikings to increase endurance, stamina and strength during their journeys. It helps the body to adapt to physical and mental stress, while increasing energy levels.

B vitamins: The need for B complex vitamins increases during times of stress and infection. Vitamin B5 is particularly necessary for the adrenal glands because it increases the production of adrenal hormones, which depletes when the glands are overworked.

Lemon Balm: Not only does it smell delicious, it has a very calming effect, helping to ease anxiety and improve quality of sleep.

Passion Flower: This is also a very calming herb, helping to regulate overall mood as well as muscle spasms.

5HTP: supports the brain’s levels of serotonin (the feel-good hormone). It also supports the nervous system and helps with stress resistance.

Magnesium: This wonder mineral helps in so many ways, supporting the adrenal glands, relaxing stressed muscles and nerves and promoting quality sleep.

Vitamin C: This antioxidant boosts your immunity. When adrenal glands are overworked, they produce less vitamin C, lowering your overall immunity – a top up will go a long way when it comes to keeping your health in check.

We are all prone to being stressed from time to time so it is vital that we take care of ourselves. The effects of long-term stress on the body are vast, and each is more unpleasant than the last. If you’re feeling like everything is a bit much, pause, breathe and smile. Remember, it’s OK to ask for help.

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Exhaustion the Modern Epidemic

With high-stress environments becoming the norm in our busy lives, our adrenal glands are getting a hammering and as a result, they’re buckling under the pressure.
When we become stressed, our body goes into “fight or flight” mode – it’s our built-in response to danger. Our adrenal glands produce a surge of stress hormones, feeding our muscles, lungs and brain, allowing us to run, think and act quicker. A constant state of stress means that our adrenal gland is getting overworked. A short-term adrenal surge will prepare our body to cope with the “danger”, but a constant supply of the stress hormones will overwhelm our system, diminishing our ability to cope.

Depending on your environment and your genetic disposition, Adrenal Fatigue can occur gradually (as an accumulative effect) or quite quickly. It affects the whole body and in severe cases, can lead to other conditions (or make pre-existing conditions worse). These include high blood pressure, acne, stomach ulcers, asthma and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In less extreme cases, any of these symptoms (or even a range of them) can occur:

Mental:

Trouble remembering things

An inability to concentrate

A foggy brain

Racing thoughts

Emotional:

Anxiety

Irritability

Moodiness

Restlessness

Feeling impatient

Feeling depressed and generally negative about your life

Having difficulty relaxing or switching off

Feeling lonely or isolated

Feeling constantly overwhelmed

Physical Symptoms:

Headaches

Back aches

Muscle tension and stiffness

Inconsistent bowel motions, varying between diarrhea and constipation

Dizziness

Chest pain

A racing heartbeat

Weight gain or loss

Skin breakouts such as hives, eczema, psoriasis

Decreased libido

Lowered immunity

Change in appetite

Problems sleeping

A reliance on alcohol or drugs

Nervous habits such as nail biting, hair pulling or picking at skin

Teeth grinding or jaw clenching

Excessive sweating or clammy hands

What causes ongoing stress varies from person to person. Usually it is related to daily issues and a generally hectic lifestyle, but sometimes stress can be brought on by one major event such as the death of a loved one, divorce or separation, redundancy, bankruptcy or a severe injury or illness.

It is essential to reduce stress wherever you can, especially over periods of intense stress. Find what works for you, whether it is yoga, reading a book, taking a bath or going for a run, plan it and stick to it. Mindfulness is a psychological technique that has been introduced to some schools and workplaces to help people deal with complex emotions. By acknowledging and focusing on the present (rather than dwelling on the past or fretting about the future), everything feels a bit more manageable. Mindfulness has been clinically proven to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

Nutrition plays a large role in stress. Everyone’s needs and responses are different, but there are many natural herbs and minerals that have been shown to help relieve the pressure. Here are our top 8 picks for stress-busting nutrients that could make a world of difference:

Siberian & Ashwagandha Ginseng: Both help to regenerate the adrenal and nervous systems, improving your ability to cope with stressful situations. Siberian ginseng has been used for centuries as a tonic in times of stress, also supporting the immune system, which is often compromised during stressful times. Ashwagandha has an anti-anxiety effect for those suffering with more emotional symptoms.

Rhodiola: This was used by the Vikings to increase endurance, stamina and strength during their journeys. It helps the body to adapt to physical and mental stress, while increasing energy levels.

B vitamins: The need for B complex vitamins increases during times of stress and infection. Vitamin B5 is particularly necessary for the adrenal glands because it increases the production of adrenal hormones, which depletes when the glands are overworked.

Lemon Balm: Not only does it smell delicious, it has a very calming effect, helping to ease anxiety and improve quality of sleep.

Passion Flower: This is also a very calming herb, helping to regulate overall mood as well as muscle spasms.

5HTP: supports the brain’s levels of serotonin (the feel-good hormone). It also supports the nervous system and helps with stress resistance.

Magnesium: This wonder mineral helps in so many ways, supporting the adrenal glands, relaxing stressed muscles and nerves and promoting quality sleep.

Vitamin C: This antioxidant boosts your immunity. When adrenal glands are overworked, they produce less vitamin C, lowering your overall immunity – a top up will go a long way when it comes to keeping your health in check.

We are all prone to being stressed from time to time so it is vital that we take care of ourselves. The effects of long-term stress on the body are vast, and each is more unpleasant than the last. If you’re feeling like everything is a bit much, pause, breathe and smile. Remember, it’s OK to ask for help.